What is the role of manual signaling equipment in Navy communications?

The role of manual signaling equipment in Navy communications primarily serves as a backup during equipment failure. In military operations, reliability and redundancy are critical. When modern electronic communication devices fail, manual signaling equipment—such as flags, lights, or sound signals—allows personnel to continue to communicate essential information. This is crucial in scenarios where electronic communications may be jammed, compromised, or simply not operational due to technical malfunctions or environmental conditions. By employing manual signaling, personnel maintain situational awareness and command over their operations, ensuring that communication remains uninterrupted despite potential technological failures.

While enhancing data speed, providing encryption, and amplifying signals are important aspects of modern communication, they are not the primary focus of manual signaling equipment, which is more about ensuring the continuity of communication under adverse conditions.